Aid threat rebuked

The Malawian Government has rejected warnings from the British Government that it will impose aid fines if it does not stop persecuting its LGBTI citizens.

“Malawi cannot be made to dance to their tune,” Information Minister Patricia Kaliati said.

“In the future they may say they do not want children in Malawi, and then do you expect us to kill all the children? Maybe another day they will say they do not want journalists in Malawi, should we chase all of you journalists because the British have said so?”

Malawi punishes male homosexuality with up to 14 years in prison and, since January this year, sex between women with up to five years in prison.

Association for Secular Humanism in Malawi director George Thindwa said the UK’s policy of aid fines on human rights abusers could prompt governments to review their policies.

“We ask the Malawi government to look at this matter because gays and lesbians are part of our community and part of us, so they should not be discriminated against,” Thindwa said.